Parts for your 2009 Holden Commodore-Centre bearing

2009 Holden Commodore centre-bearing: what’s fitted and how to look after it

Based on Holden/GMH Service Information for the VE platform (Propeller Shaft – Centre Support Bearing procedures), the Gregory’s Holden Commodore VE 2006–2013 workshop manual, and Australian driveline catalogues from Hardy Spicer/Spicer listing a centre support bearing for VE sedan and Sportwagon, a 2009 Holden Commodore typically uses a centre-bearing. Most sedans and wagons run a two-piece tailshaft with a centre support bearing, some VE Ute and certain HSV/manual variants may use a single-piece shaft and won’t have one. For a standard 2009 Commodore sedan or Sportwagon, the centre-bearing is relevant and fitted.

On a 2009 Commodore that’s running the factory two-piece tailshaft, the centre-bearing is the quiet achiever that holds the shaft steady in the middle, keeps the driveline aligned, and tames vibration. Holden went with a two-piece tailshaft on VE sedans/wagons for packaging and NVH reasons, the centre support bearing and its rubber insulator carry the weight of the tailshaft halves and allow a little flex as the suspension moves, so the car feels smooth on the throttle and at highway speed.

When the bearing or its rubber mount starts to go, the car will usually tell you:

• Shudder or vibration on take-off or under load
• Thrum/hum around 40–80 km/h that changes with speed
• Clunking on gear changes, or excessive movement seen at the centre mount

Servicing advice for owners and techs looking after a 2009 VE:

1. Inspect at regular services (60,000–100,000 km intervals or sooner if modified/lowered). Look for torn rubber, rust dust, or play in the bearing. Check the flex discs (guibos) and engine/gearbox mounts at the same time.
2. If replacing, mark the tailshaft halves and flanges so phasing and balance are kept spot-on. Avoid separating the halves unless you’ve marked them clearly.
3. Support the exhaust and heat shields, remove the centre bracket, then the couplings. Use new hardware and quality parts, and torque to spec. A press is typically needed to swap the bearing onto the shaft.
4. Recheck driveline angles and clearances on refit, a quick road test for NVH, then a torque re-check after a few hundred kays is smart.

The centre-bearing is sealed, so there’s no lubrication point, it’s all about inspection and timely replacement. Lowered cars, hard launches, or perished guibos can shorten its life, and leaving a noisy bearing too long can transfer stress to the transmission output, diff pinion, or the couplings. Get onto it early and the Commodore stays tidy and smooth.

Popular questions

Do all 2009 Commodores have a centre-bearing?
Most 2009 VE sedans and Sportwagons do, because they use a two-piece tailshaft. Some VE Utes and select HSV/manual variants run a single-piece shaft and won’t have a centre-bearing. A quick under-car look will confirm it: if there’s a support bracket mid-shaft, you’ve got one.

How long should a VE centre-bearing last?
With stock ride height and gentle use, many last well past 150,000 km. Lowered suspension, harsh launches, or worn guibos can bring that forward. If there’s take-off shudder or a mid-speed hum, it’s time for an inspection.

Can a failing centre-bearing damage other parts?
Yes. Excess play or vibration can accelerate wear in the flex discs, tailshaft joints, transmission output seal, and diff pinion bearings. Replacing the bearing early (and any cracked guibos) keeps repair costs down and NVH under control.